Technology and diversity are not the first things you think of when you think of ballet, but fortunately times they are a’changing. First up we have Nude Barre.

Many years after failed attempts by companies such as Capezio to get traction on a product line with a full-range of skintones, Nude Barre is one of the new hopes of dancewear for all. Nude Barre tights come in an extended range of sizes and the company markets them as eco-friendly and anti-cellulite.

In contrast, Zarely markets themselves as a brand selling “fashion-infused” activewear and dancewear, with an elitist message to their marketing strategy – They toss off on the front page that their tights and leggings are “created by dancers and fashion designers, worn by the young and cultured.”  It sort of brings to mind the name-dropping that K.D.Dance Knitwear does at every opportunity.

The company also makes some sciency-hand-wavey claims. First, that by using reflective and anti-reflective materials in key places, their tights emphasize your lines, visually lengthen the legs, and reduce the appearance of flaws. Given that their models are already flawless, they don’t give themselves the opportunity to show this at work. They also use the old standby of compression construction to supposedly reduce swelling and support the joints. You can find plenty of research both for and against such claims.

What do you think dancers? Have Zarely tights give you an extra spring in your sauté? Has Nude Barre solved your complexion quandary? If you’ve tried either brand, let us all know in the comments what you think so far.